The National Association of School Superintendents (NASS) has named Dr. Michelle King, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), as its 2017 National Superintendent of the Year.

“Superintendent King has had a remarkable first year-and-a-half on the job, and the progress our students have achieved through her collaborative leadership approach is transformative,” said LAUSD board of education president Steve Zimmer. “I am so pleased that NASS has recognized what we experience first-hand every day. Dr. King is one of the best system leaders in our nation. We celebrate her and we applaud NASS for their wisdom in honoring Dr. King and her amazing work.”

LAUSD superintendent Michelle King visited students at the Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA) on the Los Angeles High School campus on the first day of school in 2016.
(photo by Edwin Folven)

Dr. Richard Vladovic, representing LAUSD District 7 and a former member of NASS, recommended King as Superintendent of the Year.

“You would be hard pressed to find a superintendent more deserving of this honor,” Vladovic said. “Michelle King has been an educator and a fixture of L.A. Unified at nearly all possible levels – as a student, teacher, administrator and now as its superintendent. She will continue to be a role model and inspiration to the hundreds of thousands of students we serve.”

The annual award recognizes exemplary leadership skills including productive innovation and effective communication. Honorees are also successful in increasing student enrollment, demonstrating integrity in service, creating models of relationship building and furthering positive leadership with equity and social justice.

“Michelle exemplifies what it takes to be a leader,” said NASS president Tom Armelino. “She has a mindset in place to confront equity issues and the achievement gap and has a strategy in place to do what is best for all students.”

King began leading the LAUSD – the nation’s second-largest school district – in January 2016. She continues to support the LAUSD’s goal of achieving a 100 percent graduation rate. King has also championed diversity within the district and encourages students to work hard to achieve their goals.

“I am grateful and humbled by this tremendous honor,” King said. “I strive each day to advance opportunities for every student in L.A. Unified. This recognition is a testament that our organization is moving forward on the path to success.”